If you’re feeling overwhelmed or discouraged by the news about ICE right now, you’re not alone.
John,
It’s easy to feel powerless in moments like this. After all, how can a single donation or action make a meaningful difference when we are grieving people killed and harmed at the hands of ICE? And when ICE is supported by an immigration enforcement budget bigger than any military in the world except the U.S. and China?
But there are real levers of power that can influence what happens next. One of the most important is control of the U.S. House, which would meaningfully change what’s possible when it comes to stopping ICE's abuses.
Among Congressional Democrats, much of the debate on ICE right now is focused on policy, and the range of views is wide. And while Democrats are currently holding unofficial hearings on the issue, these lack the subpoena power of an official hearing that is possible with a House majority. So in order to make further progress, Democrats first need governing power.
With a Democratic House majority, here are the concrete steps Democrats will have the power to take:
- Use the power of the budget to put guardrails on ICE. A Democratic majority would have leverage to limit ICE funding and force accountability. Under Trump’s “big beautiful bill”, Republicans approved $75 billion through 2029 to expand detention facilities and increase recruitment. This happened because Republicans control the House—turning ICE funding into a political weapon. A Democratic majority would be able to constrain this funding.
- Launch oversight and investigations with subpoena powers that aren’t being used under Republican leadership. Committees could subpoena ICE leadership, compel testimony from agents and field officers, and hold public hearings that force the people running these operations into the daylight—before Congress and the American people. That visibility itself is a form of accountability. House committees can also decide who testifies. That means elevating impacted families and legal experts who can directly challenge false narratives. Oversight and investigations aren’t happening right now, not because they can’t happen, but because the House is controlled by the same party that helped expand ICE’s power.
None of this requires passing sweeping legislation overnight. Much of it will come simply from having the power to investigate, question, and withhold cooperation—things that are much harder to accomplish without a majority.
This is why individual actions still matter—even when they feel small. On their own, a donation or conversation with a voter might not seem like much. But collectively working in strategic, tangible ways to help Democrats take back the House is how governing power is built.
If we want oversight, accountability, and real constraints on ICE to be on the table—not just as talking points, but as governing tools—then winning the House is crucial.
If you want a way to take action right now, sign up to volunteer with Ground Truth, our program focused on listening to and rebuilding trust with swing district voters.
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Or, consider making a donation of $25, or any amount you can, to support Swing Left’s work to elect a Democratic majority this November.
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Thank you for being part of this collective effort to build the power needed to make change.
In solidarity,
Yasmin Radjy
Executive Director, Swing Left
